Charity Walks Blog

Author: Erica Brooks

One of the best ways to relieve yourself from the stresses in life is by giving to others. When you help others it takes the focus off of you and your problems and shifts the focus to the needs of others.

Helping others brings about change in the community and a peace to you and someone in need. Below are 10 ways to volunteer and give the gift of yourself to others:

1. Walkathons

Walkathons are charity walks. The only thing required is desire, determination and some good walking shoes. To participate contact the charity of your choice who is hosting the walk to register. Once you register you will be asked to get sponsors to donate money on behalf of you walking. Sponsors can be anyone- your family members, co-workers, church members, local businesses etc. Donations can be anywhere from $1.00 to as much as your sponsor is willing to donate.

2. Local Nursing Home

Many residents of nursing homes don’t have anyone to visit them and would love a visit from a warm and friendly person. It would only require an hour or two of your time a week and it would really make a difference to an elderly resident who does not have family or someone to look after them. Check with you local nursing home to find out how to volunteer at their center.

3. Boys and Girls Club

Many of the youth today are in need of activities to keep them out of trouble and someone to guide them so that they stay grounded and out of harms way. Your local boys and girls club does just that by providing sports and fun activities for children in the area. The club is always in need of responsible, patient adults who are willing to help. Check your local yellow pages to find the center near you and give them a call to find out how to volunteer.

4. Local Church Ministries

The church is a place where people can go to find help in a variety of areas. Put your spiritual gifts to good use at your local church by joining a church ministry. There are many areas that you can be of help in- youth ministry, usher board ministry, missions ministry, prison ministry, music ministry, just to name a few. Check with your local church to see where you can be of the most help.

5. Local Food Bank

This is a wonderful charity where you can help those in your community get the food they need. All it takes is a phone call to your local food bank to get started.

6. Homeless Shelter

Help those who need shelter to get the food and shelter they need. Think of the difference you will make to those in your community by devoting a couple of hours a week of your time to this charity.

7. Girls and Boy Scouts of America

What a fun charity. Responsible and patient volunteers are always appreciated. It requires only a few hours of your time a week meeting with the children. You would play games, participate in badge earning activities, go on local outings and more. Check with your local Boys Scouts or Girls Scouts office to find out about the volunteer opportunities in your area.

8. Domestic Violence Centers

There is a great need in our country to protect those suffering from physical abuse. Volunteer opportunities are available in the shelters and to answer domestic violence hotlines. Contact your local shelter today to find out how you can help.

9. Rape Crisis Center

Rape is a serious crime and rape victims need all the help and support that they can get to recover from this form of abuse. Volunteers are needed to work in local crisis centers and on crisis hotlines. There may be special training that is needed for this type of charity due to the circumstances of the service. Check with your local rape crisis center to find out how you can help.

10. Pet Shelters

Pets need love too! There are many pet shelters that are in need of volunteers to care for sick and homeless pets and to help them to find good homes. If you love pets and enjoy working with them this is a great charity for you.

The opportunities to volunteer in your community are endless. Still not sure where you can volunteer? Visit www.volunteermatch.org to match your skills with one of the many charities in your area. Giving of yourself to others in such a positive way is one of the bests gifts you can give to yourself and others.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/stress-management-articles/stress-relief-through-charity-270806.html

About the Author:

Erica Brooks operates http://www.richlyscentedsoycandles.com and http://www.gourmetsoycandlefundraiser.com which helps groups and organizations to raise money for special causes.

Photo by Alex Bramwell

Technorati Tags: Boys And Girls Club, Charity, charity walks, Fundraiser, Fundraising, Helping Others, Stress Management, Stress Relief, Stresses, Volunteer, Walkathons

Training for your charity walks does not have to be boring. A little creativity can have your participants wanting more, rather than wanting it to end quickly. This is important because people are more open to learning new ideas when they’re having a good time.

I recently had the privilege of attending the training event Arthritis College. The event was put on by the Arthritis Foundation, Virginia Chapter and the students included board members, staff , and volunteers from across the state of Virginia.

Class topics included arthritis research, charity events, and leadership. house education on these topics turn from drab to dynamic? Here are some of my observations:

• A college theme was used throughout the day.  We entered as freshmen and progressed to sophomores, etc. after participating in each class. The decorations and dialog used throughout the event stayed consistent with the theme.  At the end of the day, there was a graduation ceremony.
• Dr. Loren Erickson discussed his research at a level everyone could understand. He also showed how the research has already made great strides in the fight against arthritis.
• In the middle of the day, Christine Walters led a session of improvisation that had all of us laughing while we created funny dance routines and pictures with crayons.
• The instructional classes each used props and student participation throughout. Some even sprinkled contests with simple prizes to increase the fun and participation.

What are you going to do that is fun and different to help motivate and train your charity walk participants? A little applied creativity can make a big difference.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, arthritis foundation, charity walks, training, virginia, Volunteer, Volunteers, walk events

Charity walks, also known as walkathons, can boost a nonprofit organization’s financial position and bring it positive exposure to the community. The opposite can occur if the walk is not planned and executed properly.

What is one of the key areas to consider when planning for a successful charity walk? It is location.

In real estate, location is critical. It is no different for a walkathon. A properly selected location can make planning and setting up for a walk easier. It can also improve the participants’ experience, encouraging them to volunteer more support and return to your event every year.

The following are a few questions to ask when evaluating a charity walk location:

• Is the walk path level? Steep hills on the walk can make the event difficult for participants to complete. They may not say anything to you when they complete the walk, but they will think twice before joining next year.
• Is the location convenient? The location should be centrally located to your perspective walkers. It should also be a known location that is easy to find.
• Is there available parking? If parking is not close to the event area or not large enough to accommodate all of the walkers, they will drive away on the day of the event without stopping.
• Is there adequate space to support the activities and expected number of people? Make sure you have plenty of space for all of the activities planned on-site.
• Are restrooms available? If they are available for use at the walk, it can save both time and money that would be required to arrange for portable units to be brought in.
• Are tables and chairs available at the site? Just like the restrooms, if there are tables and chairs available on-site, it will be one less thing to make arrangements for and potentially have to pay for.
• Is the area safe? Safety should be the #1 concern regarding the walk. Assess the local area and route to be walked. Ensure that all aspects of the event can be done in a safe manner.
• Is the area clean and well maintained? The area needs to be clean. The grass and landscaping needs to be maintained. The walk path needs to be free from obstacles.
• Is there an indoor facility available? An indoor facility will be extremely useful if it rains and there is no plan for a makeup date. Indoor activities can encourage participants to show up on a rainy day.

Select a terrific location for your charity walks and put them on a path to success.

Thanks,

photo credit: jasonippolito

Technorati Tags: charity walks, Nonprofit Organization, Participants, Steep Hills, Tables And Chairs, Time And Money, Volunteer, Walkathon, Walkers

Recognizing volunteers who support your charity walks is critical. Appropriate volunteer recognition will help keep your volunteers motivated and interested in supporting your organization for many years to come.

Are you ready to kick up your volunteer recognition program a notch? Try some of the following unique ways to thank your volunteers:

1. Write a thank you note to the volunteer’s spouse or parents. A volunteer sacrifices his or her time in support of your nonprofit organization. The volunteer is typically not the only one making a sacrifice. A spouse may have to pick up extra duties. A parent may have to drive the child to and from each meeting and event. Think about others who are inconvenienced by providing support to a volunteer “behind the scenes” and send them a thank you note.
2. Write a letter of recognition to the volunteer’s supervisor or school. Businesses and schools consider community service important. Volunteering can aid a person in pursuing a career. Volunteering can also help a student when being considered for certain classes and also when it comes time to apply for college or a job. Make sure you notify the volunteers’ supervisors and schools regarding the great support you’re receiving and the impact that it is making.
3. Track the volunteer’s hours of service and submit for the President’s Volunteer Service Award. It doesn’t take as many volunteer hours as you might think to qualify for the award. Go to PresidentialServiceAwards.gov to learn more about the award.
4. Create a volunteer photo wall. Find a space to display photos of your volunteers. They can be studio shots or captured in action. Volunteers will be scrambling to find their photo on the wall every time they visit.
5. Invite volunteers to observe or participate in organization meetings and training events. Volunteers should be considered an extension of the nonprofit organization staff. By allowing them to participate in some of the organization’s other activities, they create a stronger bond with the organization and learn more about the impact the organization is making. This in turn results in a more dedicated (and appreciative) volunteer.
6. Send handwritten thank you notes from individuals who have been directly helped by the organization. My most prized thank you came in the form of a handwritten note from a young girl who was helped by the organization I supported. This is a powerful way to show appreciation to volunteers.
7. Nominate volunteers for community service awards. Search for community service awards in your area and nominate deserving volunteers who support your efforts. United Way is one organization that has such awards. You should also consider creating your own volunteer awards that can be presented annually to your most capable and dedicated volunteers.

Your charity walks would not be successful without motivated volunteers. Regularly find ways to let your volunteers know that you are grateful for the time and energy they contribute to your cause.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: charity walks, Hours Of Service, Letter Of Recognition, Non-profit organization, Nonprofit Organization, Philanthropy, Photo Wall, Recognizing Volunteers, Volunteer, Volunteer Program, Volunteer Recognition Program, Volunteer Service Award

Successful charity walks depend on the unselfish contributions of many volunteers. That should be enough of a reason for a nonprofit organization to identify as many ways as possible to thank their volunteers. Expressing appreciation to volunteers does not have to be difficult.

There are many easy ways you can show your volunteers that you care about them and are grateful for their hard work. This list should get you started:

1. Present each volunteer with a certificate of appreciation. These certificates can be designed, personalized and printed from your computer. To make the task easy, use a template. Search online for the keyword “certificate of appreciation template” for many to choose from. Consider displaying the certificate in an inexpensive frame prior to presenting it to your volunteer.
2. Send each volunteer a note or letter recognizing their contributions. A surprise thank you note arriving in the mail can be a real treat for your volunteers. To make the note extra special, be sure the note is handwritten.
3. Thank volunteers publicly for their service at the charity walk and other related events. Make sure your volunteers are recognized at the charity walk. You can provide them special shirts to wear. You should also recognize them when you are making announcements to the walkers.
4. List your volunteers in an email and/or newsletter and express your thanks. Use your organization’s e-mail list and newsletters to thank your volunteers. You could even write features on individual volunteers who have made significant contributions.
5. Privately tell each volunteer you appreciate him or her every chance you get. Some volunteers will not feel as comfortable as others with public expressed gratitude. However, a reminder in private about how important they are to you and to the cause may be just what they need.
6. Express your gratitude with an inexpensive gift. Care should be used if using a tangible gift to thank some or all of your volunteers. The gift needs to be inexpensive. An expensive gift will signal that funds raised due to the time provided by the volunteer are not valued.
7. Provide opportunities for new and expanded responsibilities. Some of your volunteers may be seeking new ways to contribute to your organization in a larger way. For these individuals, a request for them to participate in your organization with additional responsibilities can be a great way to demonstrate your appreciation for their volunteering efforts.

Demonstrating your thanks will not only motivate your volunteers to continually improve. It will also ensure these volunteers will be excited about supporting your future charity walks. Get started today.

Thanks,

Technorati Tags: Certificate Of Appreciation, charity walks, Expressing Appreciation, Gratitude, Non-profit organization, Nonprofit Organization, Philanthropy, Volunteer, Volunteers, Walkers